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. 2025 Aug 22;11(34):eadw2382. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw2382

Fig. 4. scRNA-seq of contour feathers and lesser sickle feathers from White Leghorn chickens reveals the epidermal cell configuration difference between short and long feathers.

Fig. 4.

(A) Contour and lesser sickle feather follicles from White Leghorn chicken are used for scRNA-seq analysis. (B) Nine epidermal cell clusters and six dermal clusters are identified in short and long feathers, with different cell numbers in different cell clusters. (C) Marker genes in epidermal cell clusters. (D) Cell fraction in epidermal clusters between short and long feathers. (E to L) Examples of the expression of different cell markers in short and long feather epidermal cell clusters. [(E) and (F)] Progenitor cell group 1 (DLL1). [(G) and (H)] TA cells (PCNA). [(I) and (J)] Intermediate layer 1 (IL1) and keratin 6A (KRT6A). [(K) and (L)] Barb-differentiated cell cluster (feather keratin). Red arrows in (E) indicate the progenitor cell group 1. Blue arrows in (G) indicate the TA cells. Pink arrows in (I) indicate the intermediate layer 1. Green arrows in (K) indicate the differentiated cell cluster.